Measuring-tape holder.



YPATENTED MAR. 14, 1905.

w. J. SEEP. v MEASURING TAPE HOLDER.

APPLIUATIOK FILED SEPT. 23, 1904.

a o t u w am l atented March 14, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM J. SEEP, OF ALBANY, INDIANA.

MEASURING-TAPE HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 785,052, dated March14, 1905.

Application filed September 23, 1904. Serial No. 225,668.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM J. SEEP, of Albany, in the county ofDelaware and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Measuring-Tape Holders; and I do hereby declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains tomake and use the same.

This invention relates to holders for measuringline-tapes, such as areused in measuring up oil-wells; and its objects are to provide actuatingmeans-Which may be readily applied to tape-holders now in use, to removethe strain ofthe main gear-Wheel'from the shaft of the holder, and to soconstruct and arrange the parts as to secure rapidity in the winding ofthe tape.

The invention will be hereinafter fully set forth, and particularlypointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinalsectional view with the holder in place. Fig. 2 is a view in perspectivewith the holder removed. Fig. 3 is an elevation, partly in section, withparts broken away. Fig. A is a sectional detail view.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates an approximately U-shaped frame,the bottom member of which may be secured to a board or any suitablesupport. In one of the end uprights is ahorizontally-disposed adjustablescrew 2, having a pointed end for engaging the rounded recess in abushing 3, set in one end of the tape-holding drum 1. To the other endof this drum is secured a plate 5, having a square opening 6 in axialline with the recess in bushing 3. This opening is designedtoaccommodate the squared end of a shaft 7 having its bearing in theother end upright of frame 1. In addition to the bearing afforded bythis end upright, the shaft 7 fits in a stationary sleeve 8, projectinglaterally from such upright coincident with the opening formed in thelatter. Fast upon shaft 7 is a small gear-pinion 9, which meshes withthe large gear-Wheel 10, fast on an upper shaft 12, mounted in the upperextension of the which is internally toothed to mesh with pinion 13.This gear-wheel is preferably closed on its outer side by disk 15, andto this disk is secured an operating-handle 16, such handle having asocketed end fitting the squared portion of the hub 17. Wheel 14. hasits bearing on sleeve 8, and thus While it is concentric with thedrum-engaging shaft its weight is entirely removed therefrom, and at thesame time its bearing forms an additional support for the drum-shaft. I

As is well known in the measuring up of oil-wells measuring-tapes ofseveral hundred feet in length are employed. It is essential to theexpedition of the work that the tape be capable of being quickly woundupon its holder after the measurements taken. The weight and bulk of thetape are such that ordinarily considerable strain is exerted upon themeans employed for revolving the drum. Now by means of my invention notonly is a multiplegear secured for effecting the quick winding of thetape, (the ratio between gearwheel 14 and gear-pinion 13 beingpreferablyabout 28 to 1,) but in the operation of winding the strain of the maingear-wheel is removed from the drum-shaft and all danger of deflectionon the part of the latter is obviated by the extended bearing providedtherefor. Furthermore, any form of drum now in use for the winding ofmeasuring-tapes may be readily equipped with my improvement by simplysecuring to one end of the drum a socketed bushing to receive thesquared end of the drum-engaging shaft. The drum may be readily removedor inserted by the adjustment of the holding-screw 2, which is held asagainst accidental turning by a binding-nut 18.

The advantages of my invention are apparent to those skilled in the art.It has been found in actual practice to be of the greatest assistance inthe measuring up of oil-wells, enabling the work to be readilyprosecuted, since the tape may be as quickly wound as unwound and allwithout throwing any undue strain upon the drum or actuating mechanism.

I claim as my invention 1. A measuring-tape holder comprising a drum, anoperating-shaft therefor, a stationary bearing for the latter, a bearingconcentric with the last-mentioned bearing, and through which the saidshaft is extended, a gear-pinion on ,said shaft, a second shaft having agearwheel on one end and a pinion on theother, the former meshing withthe pinion of the operating-shaft, and a main gear-wheel mounted on thesecond-mentioned bearing and in mesh with the pinion of said secondshaft.

2. A measuring-tape holder comprising a drum, an operating-shafttherefor, a stationary bearing for the latter, a fixed sleeve extendedoutwardly from said bearing and in which said shaft fits, a gear-pinionon said shaft, a second shaft having a gear-wheel on one end and apinion on the other, the former meshing with the pinion of thedrum-shaft, and a main gear-wheel mounted on said sleeve and in meshwith the pinion of said second shaft.

3. The combination with the frame'having opposite bearings, of the endshafts supported by said bearings, a drum, said shafts detachablyengaging said drum at its opposite ends, a gear-pinion on one of saidshafts, a main gear-wheel having the same axis as said latter end shaft,but supported independently thereof, a 'second shaft carrying at one enda pinion with which said gear-wheel meshes, and at the other end agear-wheel which meshes with the gear-pinion of the said end shaft.

4. The combination with the frame having opposite bearings, of the endshafts supported by said bearings, one shaft being longitudinallyadjustable, the other shaft having a squared end and a pinion, a drumhaving a socket in one end to receive the squared end of said end shaft,a main operating gear-wheel mounted concentrically with butindependently of said end shafts, a second shaft carrying at one end agear-pinion meshing with said gear-wheel, and at the other end agearwheel meshing with said pinion of the end shaft, and anoperating-handle secured to said main gear-Wheel.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM J. SEEP.

Witnesses:

OREN FRANK, THOMAS J. DEEMER.

